It’s matchday three in the Premier League this weekend, with all 20 top-flight clubs in action and games spread from Saturday to Monday. We have to wait until Monday night for Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, in what is certainly the standout game of the weekend.
We’ll also be concentrating on two games from the EFL Championship. On Friday night, high-flyers Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion meet at the Riverside Stadium, while Nottingham Forest entertain Birmingham City on Saturday. With four days of football to bet on we’ve got plenty of options to find those winners.
Premier League
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25/08/18 | 12:30 | Wolves v Man City | Man City to Win -2 |
| 25/08/18 | 17:30 | Liverpool v Brighton | Liverpool HT/FT |
| 26/08/18 | 13:30 | Watford v Crystal Palace | 1-1 Draw |
| 26/08/18 | 16:00 | Newcastle v Chelsea | Chelsea to Win 2-0 |
| 27/08/18 | 20:00 | Man Utd v Tottenham | Tottenham Win |
Manchester City have started this season just like they finished the last, scoring lots of goals and winning football matches with ease. Pep Guardiola’s boys have beaten Arsenal and Huddersfield Town so far, scoring eight goals along the way. This weekend, the champions travel to Molineux to play newly promoted and much-hyped Wolverhampton Wanderers. Meanwhile, Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea make the trip to Newcastle United, and Man Utd play Tottenham on Monday.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City
25th August, 12:30, Sky Sports
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves host Pep’s Man City at Molineux on Saturday. Wanderers have been very competitive on their return to the top flight so far, but they are the huge underdogs in this one.
Wolves have picked up one point from a possible six, drawing at home with Everton and losing at Leicester City. As for the Citizens, they cruised to a 2-0 win over the Gunners before thumping Huddersfield 6-1 at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, Sergio Aguero notching a hat-trick.
This will no doubt be another stroll in the park for Guardiola’s gladiators, and we like the look of Betfair’s 15/8 for City to win -2 on Saturday. They just have too much ability, too much class and too many great players and this will really show what Wolves how tough things can be in the top flight.
Manchester City to Win -2 – 15/8 at Betfair
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
25th August, 17:30, BT Sport
After two wins from two, Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool side will be on the lookout for another three points when they entertain Chris Hughton’s Brighton at Anfield on Saturday evening. They know they have to keep winning to try and pout City under any pressure and home games like this are ones they cannot afford to drop points in.
Liverpool have beaten West Ham United (4-0) and Crystal Palace (2-0) to sit on six points from a possible six. The Seagulls, meanwhile, shocked Man Utd with a deserved 3-2 win at the Amex Stadium last Sunday.
Liverpool should be too strong for Albion at fortress Anfield this weekend, and Coral’s 8/13 for the Reds to be winning at half time and full time has caught our eye.
Liverpool HT/FT – 8/13 at Coral
Watford v Crystal Palace
26th August, 13:30, Sky Sports
Javier Gracia’s Watford and Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace meet at Vicarage Road on Sunday. This could be a close game between two evenly matched teams who have both made solid starts to their seasons.
In fact, the Hornets have made an excellent start to their Premier League campaign, securing wins over Brighton and Burnley. As for Hodgson’s men, after a 2-0 victory at Fulham, they were then beaten 2-0 at home by Liverpool on Monday night.
As we mentioned, this has the potential to be a tight game at Vicarage Road. Watford will fancy their chances but we prefer the stalemate. Take a punt on the 1-1 draw, which BetVictor has priced at nice odds of 6/1.
1-1 Draw – 6/1 at BetVictor
Newcastle United v Chelsea
26th August, 16:00, Sky Sports
Former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has guided his Chelsea team to two wins from two league games thus far. Will the Blues’ 100% winning record continue when they make the trip to St James’ Park to play Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon?
The Magpies have taken just one point so far, losing against Tottenham and drawing at a Cardiff City side who are widely tipped to be relegated. Chelsea followed up their opening weekend win over Huddersfield with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Arsenal last weekend.
Newcastle may be the hosts, but we can see Chelsea sealing a comfortable victory on Tyneside. Back the 2-0 Blues win at 15/2 at bet365.
Chelsea to Win 2-0 – 15/2 at bet365
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
27th August, 20:00, Sky Sports
The action in the Premier League continues through to Monday night as Jose Mourinho’s Man Utd and Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham meet at Old Trafford. This sort of game may prove pivotal in deciding who makes the top four in May and after a summer where neither manager had much success in the transfer market both bosses will be keen to begin the season well.
After last weekend’s humiliating loss at Brighton, Jose will be demanding a response from his underperforming players. Spurs, meanwhile, will fancy their chances of making it nine points out of nine.
The Red Devils will be desperate to put things right, but we can see the Lilywhites leaving Manchester with all three points. Betfred are offering the tempting odds of 9/5 for the away win and with things far from rosy at Old Trafford that looks like value to us.
Tottenham Hotspur Win – 9/5 at Betfred
EFL Championship
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/08/18 | 19:45 | Middlesbrough v West Brom | 2-2 Draw |
| 25/08/18 | 17:30 | Nottm Forest v Birmingham | Nottm Forest to Win to Nil |
Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough are the early pacesetters in the Championship at the time of writing ahead of the midweek matches. The Teessiders have won three and drawn one of their four clashes thus far. This weekend, Boro play Darren Moore’s West Brom at the Riverside. Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United are also making waves, winning their opening four matches in all competitions.
Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion
24th August, 19:45, Sky Sports
On Friday night, Middlesbrough and West Brom go head-to-head at the Riverside in a blockbuster game in the Championship. Both teams will be targeting automatic promotion and victories in games against rivals are six-pointers at any stage of the campaign.
Boro have made a fine start their season, picking up 10 points from a possible 12 so far. The Baggies, meanwhile, have taken seven points from four games, and they smashed Queens Park Rangers 7-1 at the Hawthorns last weekend.
This could go either way at the Riverside, so a draw seems a likely outcome. With plenty of goals in both sides. check out BetVictor’s big price of 15/1 for this to end in a 2-2 stalemate.
2-2 Draw – 15/1 at BetVictor
Nottingham Forest v Birmingham City
25th August, 17:30, Sky Sports
On Saturday night, Aitor Karanka’s Nottingham Forest and Garry Monk’s Birmingham meet at the City Ground. The hosts are the strong favourites for the win in this one.
Forest have made an unbeaten start to their season, but they have only picked up one Championship win so far. As for the Blues, they have failed to win any of their opening four league and cup matches before Wednesday’s clash with Bolton Wanderers.
Forest will back themselves to pick up their second league victory of the season this weekend. BetVictor are offering 15/8 for the hosts to win to nil which looks good value given the low confidence of their opponents.
Nottingham Forest to Win to Nil – 15/8 at BetVictor